The Mid-Market Journey to Big Data with Google BigQuery

These days, it seems like everyone and their IT manager is talking about "big data". As a diverse and over-reaching subject in the world of technology and communications, big data is something that appeals to every avenue of IT, from the network admins that are trying to deliver more secure access to the right information, to the system admins trying to figure out how to store that info safely.

For those who are new to the conversation, "Big data" is generally defined as a selection of data sets that are too complex and large to be processed using manual database tools. Essentially, it's information that you can't really handle without the help of a cloud-based structure. As IoT, AI, and countless other forms of disruptive, transformational technology enter the market, the amount of data we have access to each day is growing exponentially.

The question is, with so much potentially-useful information to tap into, how do we make sure that we're getting the most out of our information? From a Google Cloud Platform perspective, that's where BigQuery enters the game.

What is Google BigQuery?

So, what is Google BigQuery, and what should it mean to you?

If we look at the Google webpage for this service, you'll find that "BigQuery" is essentially the scalable, and server-less solution to managing huge amounts of data at scale. Because Google is giving its data analysts and admins an opportunity to use a system with no legacy infrastructure, there's less work involved with accessing your resources.

Google works with SQL, which is the most common solution for analyzing data, and it enables quick results by organizing everything into easy-to-use, managed, and carefully-focused storage. In other words, with BigQuery, you can stop dreaming about what it would be like to have a full picture of your market and consumer base, and start learning from the information and insights you're gathering every day.

Recently, Google introduced a selection of new features for larger enterprises, to help ensure that data management is as effective, efficient, and budget-friendly as possible, including:

Flat-rate pricing

JDBC & ODBC connectors

Standard SQL

Data manipulation language

Identity management and access

Stackdriver

Why Use Google BigQuery?

As you might have already guessed, there are other solutions out there for data management. After all, as big data emerges as a more popular buzzword for companies around the world, it only makes sense that many of the major cloud providers would begin to explore the potential of a data management service. So, why should you choose Google over the other cloud platforms out there?

The answer to this question depends on who you ask, but Google themselves have provided several case studies over the years that help to highlight the potential of the service for uncertain enterprises. For instance, Center Parcs in Europe used a BigQuery application to learn how they could better reach potential clients for their network before the vacation periods picked up for the year.

The system allowed Center Parcs to focus on specific amounts of data with the click of a button, searching through information on booking from specific countries, or in certain time frames. Through the Google Visualization API, those insights could be transformed into charts and graphs that were easier to read for the whole group.

For many, the potential of Google BigQuery is fantastic because it allows them to work through millions of pieces of disparate information within a matter of seconds. To put that into perspective, there are other options out there that could take up to ten minutes to go through the same amount of data.

The Specific Benefits of BigQuery

While case studies can be useful for gaining an insight into what an application can accomplish in certain circumstances, it's always helpful to get a quick rundown of what a tool can do. Google claims that BigQuery offers the following benefits to all clients:

Speed and agility: With BigQuery, you can set your data warehouse up in a matter of seconds, and start analyzing data instantly. The SQL queries on the Google tool are incredibly fast, which makes it easier to eliminate the time-consuming work associated with provisioning infrastructure for a query. The server-less network also handles all the patches, upgrades, and maintenance necessary for any business.

Scalability: The scale of the Google cloud platform is incredibly useful to those who want to be able to move and adapt quickly to a transformative marketplace. BigQuery can tap into real-time analytics through the server-less infrastructure, using automatic scaling strategies to manage and load data.

Analyze Instantly: As more companies begin to recognize the value of big data, Google BigQuery makes it easier to maintain a full view of your available information by querying data stored in your cloud storage databases. The system supports tools like MicroStrategy, Tableau, and Google Data Studio too, so you can create visual reports that suit you.

Protect your Investments and Business Data: BigQuery ensures that you can access security and functionality at a speed and cost that suits your needs. This eliminates the need for excessive data operations by providing data replication services for disaster recovery. There's also a 99.9% SLA.

Want to Get Started with BigQuery?

If you're interested in accessing the full potential of your data with BigQuery, then the experts here at Coolhead Tech are here to help. Remember, you can upload your data in JSON or CSV format, and you can also manage multiple files at a time if you don't exceed the 1 terabyte limit. Google also makes it easier to assess data from your pre-existing Google services, by using Google Cloud Storage.

If you want to learn more about how the BigQuery services can work for your business, you can check out the full Google-authored guide to uploading and managing your data on the website. Alternatively, reach out to us today to find out more about expanding your Google Cloud potential and discovering the true opportunities afforded in the big data marketplace.